Ecology

Forest ecosystems are in a constant state of change as they are disrupted by natural and anthropogenic disturbance events. Disturbances are discrete events that change resource availability and aspects of the biotic and abiotic environment. These events modify ecosystem, community, population structure, composition, and function (White and Pickett 1985; Barnes and others 1998). All forest ecosystems are subject to disturbance processes that create distinct patterns and influence future forest conditions. This section reviews research on disturbance scale, disturbance processes, natural disturbance and regeneration, and species ecology relevant to forest ecosystems of the Cumberland Plateau.